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Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Review: A Measure of Happiness by Lorrie Thomson

Katherine Lamontagne
isn't Celeste Barnes's mother, but ever since Celeste graduated high
school and her parents abandoned Hidden Harbor, Maine, she's acted the
part. At twenty-two, Celeste worked at Katherine’s bakery, and hoped to
buy the business once Katherine took early retirement. But when
Katherine reconsidered that decision, Celeste fled to culinary school in
New York—only to return two months later, a shadow of the girl who’d
stormed out the door.Katherine knows the signs of secret heartbreak.
Years ago, she gave up her baby son for adoption—a regret she’s never
shared with either her ex-husband or Celeste. She longs for Celeste to
confide in her now. But it will be a stranger in town—an engaging young
wanderer named Zach Fitzgerald—who spurs them toward healing. As both
women are drawn into Zach’s questioning heart, they also rediscover
their own appetites for truth and for love—and gain the courage to face
the past without being imprisoned by it.

Uplifting, emotionally rich, and deeply satisfying, A Measure of Happiness illuminates the nature of friendship, motherhood, hope—and the gifts of second chances.

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication:
August 25th 2015
by Kensington

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

Ultimately A Measure of Happiness is a book about guilt, secrets, family and love. Within the pages many issues are touch upon including adoption, eating disorders, abuse and date rape. You would think that with so many serious topics the book would feel heavy and busy but it didn't. I found that the story flowed well without glossing over the seriousness but at the same time balancing it with some lighter stuff.

I think that it was the characters that made the plot work. They were all likeable even though they were all keeping secrets. The story bounced back and forth between points of view and the reader got a really good feel for the trials and tribulations of each one of them. It was easy to connect and empathise with each of them without having to agree with their decisions. Although Zach ran a close second, my all time favourite character in this book was Barry. His roll may not have been as big as some of the others but his unwavering love, patience and commitment was absolutely beautiful. Everybody needs a Barry in their life!

This was the second book by Lorrie Thomson for me and I can say that she knows how to write about family drama. I enjoyed every minute of it. I do have a little warning for anyone planning on picking up this book. Eat before you start it because with all of the bakery talk you will most definitely get hungry!

Lorrie Thomson lives in New
Hampshire with her husband and their children. When she’s not reading,
writing, or hunting for collectibles, her family lets her tag along for
camping adventures, daylong paddles, and hikes up 4,000 footers.